•••• Ondo Monarch fingered
Fresh allegations of large-scale financial impropriety have thrown the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) into deep crisis, following claims that over ₦0.4 billion of the commission’s funds were allegedly diverted into private accounts linked to the Secretary of the commission, Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole.
Princess Bayo-Ilawole, who currently serves as OSOPADEC Secretary, is accused by multiple internal sources of allegedly channeling the funds into a private bank account reportedly belonging to her biological father, HRM Oba Kolawole Andrew Ikuesan, the Olubo of Obenla Kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area, as well as accounts of other staff members of the commission.
Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole is a sister to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa; however, there has been no official statement linking the Governor to the allegations surrounding OSOPADEC.
The development has reportedly triggered panic within the commission, particularly among staff members allegedly linked to the transactions.
Sources disclosed that one OSOPADEC staff member, Engr. Olubunmi Filani, who allegedly benefited from the funds, hurriedly refunded about ₦70 million following fears that investigations into the matter may be imminent.
A senior staff member of OSOPADEC, who spoke to our Reporter on condition of anonymity, claimed that internal documents and bank transaction records exist to substantiate the allegations.
Roving Reporters also obtained a query issued to question the secretary over the allegations of fund diversion.
According to the source, the funds were allegedly moved without due process and outside the knowledge of key management officials of the commission.
The whistleblower further raised concerns over what was described as the “extravagant lifestyle” of the OSOPADEC Secretary, which the source said appears inconsistent with her status as a Level 16 civil servant.
Among the allegations are claims that OSOPADEC funds were allegedly used to finance several projects, including:
Construction of the Olubo Event Centre in Igbokoda
Acquisition of multiple properties in choice locations within Akure
Ongoing property development in the Lekki area of Lagos State
“These projects are far beyond what her legitimate income can support,” the source alleged.
The whistleblower also claimed that official OSOPADEC documents were unlawfully released by the Secretary in a bid to cover financial tracks and attract public sympathy ahead of any possible investigation.
Staff members further alleged that the unfolding scandal has worsened morale within the commission and deepened operational paralysis, as workers express fear that internal power struggles and alleged abuse of office are crippling OSOPADEC’s mandate.
The situation has reportedly created widespread anxiety among employees, many of whom are concerned about the long-term impact of the crisis on the commission and the oil-producing communities it is meant to serve.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official response from the OSOPADEC Chairman, Prince Biyi Poroye, the Secretary, Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole, or the Ondo State Government.
Repeated attempts to reach OSOPADEC management for clarification proved unsuccessful.
Political observers warn that failure to promptly and transparently address the allegations could further erode public trust in OSOPADEC and raise serious concerns about accountability, governance, and oversight in the management of intervention funds meant for oil-producing areas of the state.
